Registration for the 2018 Hudson River Valley Ramble is now open. This year's Hudson River Valley Ramble will be held September 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, and 29-30. Submit your event by June 10th to have your event featured in the Ramble booklet, which is distributed region-wide and beyond to high-traffic tourism destinations. Sponsorships are also available at all levels, and more information is available here.

Downtown Revitalization Initiative Round Three

The passage of the 2019 Executive and Enacted Budget includes a new $100 Million Round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, providing a $10 Million award to ten new communities to develop downtown strategic investment plans. These plans, with the infusion of DRI investment, will implement key catalytic projects that advance the community’s vision for revitalization, promote sustainable economic development, and create places where the next generation of New Yorkers can raise their families, work, and enjoy the diversity of recreational activities all within their downtown. Applications should be submitted as Word documents and must be received by the appropriate Regional Council by 4:00 PM on June 1, 2018.Find more info here.

Safe Schools for Every Student

Safe Schools for Every Student is a workshop focused on understanding and respecting gender and sexual minorities. Designed for K-12 teachers of all subjects. Educators and youth group leaders from non-school settings are welcome.

Explore best practices, understanding gender and sexual identity and expression, language, available resources, and more. Participants will receive a copy of One Teacher in Ten in the New Millennium: LGBT Educators Speak Out About What’s Gotten Better . . . and What Hasn’t by Kevin Jennings, 2015. The workshop will be Friday, May 18, from 4-7 p.m at the Henry Wallace Visitors & Education Center in Hyde Park. Learn morehere.

Market New York - Tourism Grant Program

Market New York is a grant program that supports regionally themed marketing projects that promote tourism destinations, attractions and special events, as well as tourism facility capital improvement projects. Additionally, eligible projects include the hosting, coordination and execution of special events new to New York State, and the promotion of agritourism and craft beverage tourism. On May 1, 2018 the CFA portal/application will be accessible. On July 27, 2018 the CFA portal/application will close. Learn more here.

Register Now for 2018 Path Through History Weekends

There will be two 2018 Path Through History Weekends:

Spring - Father's Day weekend (June 16-17, 2018)

Fall - Columbus Day weekend (October 6-8, 2018)

Host sites can participate in one or both of the weekends; there is no obligation to participate in both. Registration is now open here, so register your event today!

The Rockland Municipal Planning Federation is once again offering its certification courses this spring. These courses are free and fulfill the certification requirement for municipal, planning, and zoning board members as well as provide three hours of training for each course for each member towards their four-hour State training requirement. Interested members of the public are also welcome to attend. Please note Session II is required for re-certification every two years. Please register in advance. Read more here.

May 4: Hike the 1-mile Battle Loop Trail (Weather permitting). Hiking boots and warm apparel suggested. Group will meet at the main parking lot of the hilltop. Find out more here.

Spring Crafts, Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, NY

May 4-6: It’s a great day for the entire family at one of America’s most beautiful landmarks. Enjoy exciting activities such as, interactive kid's activities, tantalizing gourmet foods and concessions, hands-on craft demonstrations, tours of the Lyndhurst mansion and more! Read more here.

May 5: Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam’s Point will both host volunteers as part of more than 125 cleanup, improvement and beautification events happening statewide. Volunteers may choose between two trail improvement projects at each site, both of which will greatly benefit the Park Preserve. Volunteers will work alongside Park Preserve staff and New York-New Jersey Trail Conference volunteers on each project. Find out more here.

May 6: The Race Day schedule includes a Story Walk for children, an 1.5 mile guided Nature Walk, a Youth Mile and the 5K Run/Walk followed by an Awards Ceremony. This is a family friendly event and will include children's activities, and health and educational activities provided by local businesses and/or agencies. Find out more here.

Spring Flower Walk, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY

May 6: Hike our budding trails in search of Clermont-specific wildflowers with your knowledgeable guide, Claudia Vispo, of the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program. This event is free, but registration is required. Learn more here.

Murder at Oakwood, Oakwood Cemetery, Troy NY

May 12: Join Warren Broderick, dressed as County Coroner Thomas Hurley, he will spare no details as he releases the official report of the Murder at Oakwood. He will then lead the curious public to the scene of the shocking event and to the shunned murderer’s secret burial place. Meet at the Earl Chapel. Read more here.

Guided Tours & World War I Exhibition, St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, Mount Vernon, NY

May 12: We offer ongoing and continuous guided tours of the 18th century field stone church that was used as a Revolutionary War hospital, and of the cemetery, one of the nation’s oldest continuously used burial yards. Learn about doughboys, liberty cabbage and four minute men, through our feature exhibition on display in the museum, “Over Here, Over There: America and World War I”. Learn more here.

May 12: Renowned artist and educator William Clutz will discuss works in Wilderstein’s collection by Ammi Phillips and French emigre painter Monsieur Robert. Research which led to the discovery of a remarkable number of portraits throughout the Hudson Valley now attributed to Robert will be featured in this presentation. Read more here.

May 12: Spend time with Mom crafting fun and making memories at the Harness Racing Museum on Saturday, from 10:30 am –12:00 pm. Make her mother’s day gift together – decorate a model mare and foal with their own barn home and fence. All craft supplies will be provided just bring Mom and enjoy. Don’t forget to shake things up with a ride on the Museum’s harness racing 3-D simulator too. Learn morehere.

Mother’s Day Free Day, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY

May 13: Celebrate mothers and families with a community free day at OLANA on Mother’s Day sponsored by CMH. Olana will host continuous touring access to Olana from 10-4pm. Read more here.

May 13: Join Tim Barringer, a Paul Mellon Professor in the History of Art, Yale University to discuss the new exhibition opening in Thomas Cole's New Studio. The lecture will take place at 2pm at the Temple Israel, which is adjacent to the Thomas Cole National Historical Site. Learn more here.

Mother's Day at Mount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon, NY

May 13: Mother’s Day will be celebrated atMount Gulian Historic Site with free tours for mothers. Tours of the house, which overlooks the Hudson River, as well as the Dutch barn and restored garden, will be given at 1:00 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. only. Complimentary light refreshments for all visitors will be available. Find out more here.

May 16: Join us for Olana’s bimonthly program designed for individuals with early stages Alzheimer’s & Dementia and their family or caregivers. This program invites all participants to take part in conversation and create art around specific Olana-related themes.Participants are welcome to join us at 3:30 for tea and cake in the Visitor Center before the program begins. Read more here.

May 17: Please join us for an evening lecture with Conservation Director Neil Gifford as he describes the science we use to understand what we need to do to restore a fully functional pine barrens and how we know if our conservation work is not only successful, but also understood and supported by the surrounding human community. Find out more here.

May 19: Learn a lovely traditional and creative way to make your own seed paper and seed bomb. Bring some of your own seeds or choose from our reserves.

Part of our Harvesting History Family Workshop Series- Join Leslie Reed (Clermont’s Garden Educator) in educational and fun nature- and garden-based activities open to ages 8 to 108! Read more here.

Raptor Fest, Schodack Island State Park, Schodack Landing, NY

May 19: Audubon Society of the Capital Region presents the second annual Raptor Fest at Schodack Island State Park. Guests of all ages will be fascinated by live birds of prey. Live music, food and beverage, and kids activities will make this a fun day for the whole family. Learn more here.

A Revolutionary Camp at Night at the Historic Huts, New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, New Windsor, NY

May 19: From 7:00 to 9:30 PM, at the huts, owned by The Town of New Windsor, on the west side of Route 300 and on the north side of Causeway Road, experience by candlelight military drills, musket firings and other period activities done at the encampment at New Windsor. Find out more here.

World War I & the End of the Gilded Age, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY

May 19: Commemorating the centennial years of World War I, this special tour explores how the Millses’ extravagant way of life withered away in the cataclysm of the Great War. Reservations Required. Learn more here.

Winter Raptor Fest 2018, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NY

May 19-20: See live owls, hawks and falcons up close and in flight at FIBA’s 8th annual Winter Raptor Fest! Explore the all NEW Wild Encounter exhibit to see the birds in their “natural” habitats, including some of our most endangered species! Keep an eye out for live fox, fisher, porcupine and other animals along the way! Find out more here.

Karner Blue Butterfly Walk, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany, NY

May 20: Don’t miss this chance to join Albany Pine Bush Preserve staff on a 0.9-mile hike to see the Karner blue butterfly. Once common in the glacial Lake Albany sand belt, the Karner blue has plummeted in numbers over the past 40 years and is now listed as a federally- endangered species. Come learn about the natural history of the Karner blue and our efforts to rescue this species from the brink of extinction. Read more here.

Harmonies on the Hudson, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY

May 24: Join us in kicking off our summer concert series with Prana featuring Baird Hersey. Their sound is a unique blend of western folk, jazz, and choral music with a strong emphasis on vocal harmonics. This free concert will be enjoyed with light refreshments in the Clermont Cottage, rain or shine! Find out more here.

3rd Annual Taking Flight Conference, Mt. Tremper, NY

May 25-27:The Catskill Mountains host 27 different breeding Warblers. And at least 9 more species have been documented passing through the region. In honor of these amazing birds, Scott Whittle and Tom Stephenson, the co-writers of "The Warbler Guide" will lead warbler hikes, warbler workshops (photographing warblers + Warbler ID), and will give the Saturday night keynote address... about warblers. Find out morehere.

18th Century Graveside Ceremony, New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, New Windsor, NY

May 28: Throughout the day Revolutionary War soldiers stand vigil at the coffin of Colonel Francis Barber and then at 2:00 PM perform a graveside mourning ceremony in honor of all America's veterans. A cannon firing and military demonstration follows the ceremony. Read more here.

May 31: JoinKevin Burke, Director of Research at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, where he will speak about the years defined by the Roosevelt presidency and its animating legacy in the decades that followed. Learn morehere.

The USS Slater, docked on the Albany waterfront, is the only World War II-era destroyer escort still afloat and the only one in existence with its original battle armament. Launched in 1944 and named after Alabama sailor Frank O. Slater, killed during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942, the Slater saw service in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during World War II. In the former, it protected convoys of men and material from Nazi U-boats; in the latter, it defended naval task forces from Japanese submarines and kamikaze attacks. After the war, it was transferred to the Greek Navy, where it served as a training vessel until 1991, when it was donated to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum. Six years later, it found a permanent berth in Albany. Guided tours of the 306-foot long vessel, often conducted by Navy veterans, highlight the activities of the crew and explore the navigating bridge and radio rooms, the ship’s weaponry, and its berthing spaces and mess rooms. Learn more here.

Project Spotlight: Red Barn Discovery Center at John Jay Homestead State Historic Site

The John Jay Homestead State Historic Site in Katonah was awarded a National Heritage Area Development Grant to create exhibits in the Red Barn Discovery Center. The Red Barn Discovery Center includes exploration areas and interactive exhibits that invite children and their families to learn about the life in the 19th and 20th centuries on John Jay's Farm. Incorporated inside the discovery center are a tractor play table that will help children learn about farm landscape and architecture; a reading area with books on agricultural history and animal husbandry; a puzzle table focusing on farm buildings, vehicles, and animals; farm tools that give the children an opportunity to experience the actual work it takes to be a farmer in the 19th and 20th centuries; and "dress up" to provide a learning experience about historical clothing. These interactive exhibits come to life for young children and become impacting experiences that they will never forget.

Green Tip of the Month: The Green Grocer

The US uses 100 billion plastic bags annually, consuming about 12 million barrels of oil. Less than 1% of plastic bags are ever recycled. Reusable bags can help reduce the number of plastic bags you use. Learn morehere.

Grant and Funding Opportunities

Greenway Conservancy Trail Grant Program

This annual grant program is dedicated to funding recreational trail projects. Special consideration is given to projects that seek to implement the goals of the Greenway Trail Program. This year's application emphasizes connections to the Empire State Trail, and makes funding available for Water Trail projects. Applications are due August 10, 2018. More here

Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program

Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: May 4, 2018, August 10, 2018. More here.

National Heritage Area Sponsorship's Available

The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) will partner with various organizations to sponsor programs and events that reinforce the Heritage Area’s mission. While complementing the mission of the Heritage Area, cultural, heritage and recreational events deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to communities, and encourage local and regional partnerships. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.

Teaching the Hudson Valley Explore Awards

These matching grants are intended to create opportunities for students to explore the history, environment, and culture of the Hudson River Valley, connecting their studies to significant places. They encourage students’ appreciation for and stewardship of their communities and cultures, and connect teachers with site educators and place-based learning. Eligible expenses include transportation and admission fees to eligible Hudson Valley locations for school groups. Read more here.

Technical Assistance Grants (TAG)

A signature grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League of New York State, made possible with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Grants of up to $3,000, with a required $500 match from each applicant, are available to non-profit groups and municipalities that manage historic sites, museums, arts facilities and other important institutions that serve an arts or cultural purpose and are open to the public. Deadline: September 18, 2018. Learn more here.

Humanities New York Grants

Quick Grants of $500 are now available for in-person public humanities program​s​. These matching grants are ​intended for small and volunteer-run organizations. Proposals ​will be accepted on a rolling basis while funds last.

Vision Grants: Seed funding for project development of up to $1,500 in support of brainstorming, researching, and professional development for organizations working collaboratively to develop new ideas and program strategies. Proposals ​will be accepted on a rolling basis while funds last. These grants aim to:

Support emerging and established partnerships between different groups on a shared project that may develop into public-facing activities.

Infuse program design with humanities themes and methodologies from the start.

Encourage experimentation in program design.

Build community input into program design.

Action Grants: Humanities New York offers three Action Grant rounds per year. The next deadline is June 1st, 2018 for programs starting after September 1st, 2018 or later. Matching funds for project implementation up to $5,000 to produce public-facing humanities projects that encourage audiences to reflect on their values, explore new ideas, and engage with others across New York State. These grants require organizations to demonstrate a match of at least one-to-one. These grants aim to:

Connect audiences more deeply to the communities where they live and work.

Solidify community partnerships and diversify audiences.

Creatively employ the tools of the humanities to respond to issues and ideas capturing the imagination and passion of New Yorkers today.

The Research and Development program supports projects that address major challenges in preserving or providing access to humanities collections and resources. These challenges include the need to find better ways to preserve materials of critical importance to the nation’s cultural heritage—from fragile artifacts and manuscripts to analog recordings and digital assets subject to technological obsolescence—and to develop advanced modes of organizing, searching, discovering, and using such materials. Deadline: June 7, 2018. Learn more here.

Digital Humanities Advancement Grants

Digital Humanities Advancement Grants (DHAG) support digital projects throughout their lifecycles, from early start-up phases through implementation and long-term sustainability. Experimentation, reuse, and extensibility are hallmarks of this grant category, leading to innovative work that can scale to enhance research, teaching, and public programming in the humanities.This program is offered twice per year. Proposals are welcome for digital initiatives in any area of the humanities. Through a special partnership, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) anticipates providing additional funding to this program to encourage innovative collaborations between museum or library professionals and humanities professionals to advance preservation of, access to, use of, and engagement with digital collections and services. Through this partnership, IMLS and NEH may jointly fund some DHAG projects that involve collaborations with museums and/or libraries. Deadline: June 5, 2018. Read more here.

Common Heritage Program

The Common Heritage program aims to capture vitally important parts of our country’s heritage and preserve it for future generations. Common Heritage will support both the digitization of cultural heritage materials and the organization of outreach through community events that explore and interpret these materials as a window on the community’s history and culture. Projects must also provide community outreach via public events that would expand understanding of the community’s history or heritage.

Round up some partners and grab your tools! The NPS Challenge Cost Share Program is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Trails and Wild & Scenic Rivers systems. Challenge Cost Share ("CCS") projects are intended to build collaboration between the National Park Service and project partners. For FY 2018, the program will provide $386,000, to be matched 1-to-1 by non-federal funds and in-kind support. We anticipate supporting approximately 20 projects. The maximum Challenge Cost Share project support is $25,000. Applications are being accepted until May 25, 2018. Learn more about the programhere.

NAGPRA Repatriation Grant

Section 10 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to museums, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations for the purposes of assisting in consultation, documentation, and repatriation of Native American “cultural items,” including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number for NAGPRA Grants is 15.922. NAGPRA grants are appropriated by Congress annually as a part of the Department of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act. Deadline June 1, 2018. Read more here.

National Trust Preservation Funds

Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for particular projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Application deadlines are February 1, June 1 and October 1, 2018. Read more here.

NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program

A partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN) that provides support for treatment procedures by professional conservators to aid in stabilizing and preserving objects in collections of museums, historical and cultural organizations in NYS. Support of up to $7500 is available for conservation treatment of paintings, works on paper, textiles, furniture, frames, sculptures, historical, ethnographic, and decorative objects owned by eligible organizations. Funding is also available for treatment costs for supports, frames, stands and mounts that are integral to the treatment of the object. Deadline: June 1, 2018. Read more here.﻿

NYSCA/GHHN Collection Needs Assessment Program

The Collections Needs Assessment Program is a NYSCA/GHHN Grant partnership program which provides two opportunities for museums across New York State. The Site Assessment Program (maximum award $650) will support professional services for a collections consultant who will come to your organization for a half-day site visit focusing on a collections related topic. The Supplies Program (maximum award $750) enables applicants who have consulted with an appropriate professional to request funds to purchase collections management supplies. Requests for archival or library collections will not be supported. Deadline: June 1, 2018. Read more here.

NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance

Have an idea for a trail, river, or park in your community? The National Park Service can help! The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects. Conservation and recreation planning professionals partners with community groups, nonprofits, tribes, and state and local governments to design trails and parks, conserve and improve access to rivers, protect special places, and create recreation opportunities. Applications for assistance are due June 30, 2018.

New York State Assembly Grants Action News

State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More here.

Volunteers Needed at Staatsburgh State Historic Site for I Love My Park Day

On Saturday, May 5, from 10am to 3pm, Staatsburgh State Historic Site is presenting an I Love My Park Day volunteer project to clean up and rehabilitate areas of the mansion’s historic landscape within Mills State Park. The event is appropriate for people ages 13 and older, and volunteers can come for any portion of the day. Learn morehere.